Sustainable Design Courses

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Displaying 276 - 300 of 402 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing: they have to provide measurable environmental benefits. This course outlines how insulated concrete forms (ICFs) help meet sustainable design objectives and examines the advantages that ICFs and ICF technology have over conventional construction materials for building envelopes in all building types.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Terracotta rainscreen cladding systems enhance building envelope performance through improved moisture management, reflected in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2, as well as through energy efficiency, structural integrity, and durability. The course examines the manufacturing of terracotta cladding, highlighting responsible clay sourcing and postextraction site reclamation, and discusses performance, aesthetics, and sustainability benefits, including how terracotta cladding can contribute to meeting the requirements of LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C): New Construction. Additional topics include system color, layout, and wall assembly options, best installation practices, and industry standards and tests.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In this course, we will explore the features and outdoor applications of elevated deck systems that enable architects to optimize outdoor spaces with functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, creating attractive and safe spaces for occupants. This course covers the system components for practical applications in various settings, offering insights into proprietary pedestal systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Beneficial acoustic environments are especially important in healthcare facilities as inappropriate acoustics can be damaging to patients and stressful and tiring to staff. Because a beneficial acoustic environment plays an important role in supporting health, safety, and well-being for all occupants, acoustic issues are now a key component of healthcare design guidelines. This course explores the impacts of acoustics on healthcare, outlines the relevant acoustic standards and guidelines, and describes the methods by which designers can address the issues and improve healthcare facility conditions for patients, families, and healthcare workers.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Single-skin metal siding can be used for a wide range of projects, from commercial buildings to educational, healthcare, residential, agricultural, and even high-end architectural designs. These siding panels can also contribute to green designs and certification programs. This course explores the different types of single-skin metal siding, specification details, and performance and design considerations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The diffuse light-transmitting and composite technology of translucent structural sandwich panels has increasingly caught the imagination of architects and designers because it is possible to maximize wall or roof daylighting while minimizing energy loss, with consequent savings in the running costs of heating, air conditioning, and artificial lighting. This course explores the fundamental connection between light and health by examining how translucent structural sandwich panels deliver glare-free, diffuse daylight deeper and more evenly into spaces with maximum thermal efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designing beautiful, sustainable, high-performance buildings can help your structures leave a lasting impression and positive impact. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) accomplish that while providing innovative design possibilities for single or multistory projects. Learn about the features and advantages of building with ICFs designed as a cost-effective, energy-efficient solution that offers substantial benefits over traditional construction methods.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the use of entrance floor systems in commercial buildings in order to promote a safe and clean environment. The course explains the codes, regulations, and guidelines specifically related to entrance flooring systems for high-traffic entrances in healthcare, education, transportation, corporate, and other commercial settings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    There are a multitude of building envelope products used and a variety of methods taken for achieving energy and building code requirements. Understanding the different roles a product plays in the envelope simplifies its design. In this course, we take a look at the code requirements for buildings classified as IBC Types I—IV, paths to achieving compliance, and the number of roles polyisocyanurate insulation plays in meeting these requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the push for greener construction has never been more critical. Sustainable building initiatives are taking center stage as the world strives to reduce emissions. The industry is moving toward adaptive and net-zero buildings, emphasizing energy efficiency and environmental awareness across sectors. Broaden your expertise in energy-efficient and adaptive building design by exploring the role of high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans in enhancing thermal comfort. This course shows why and how to specify HVLS fans as part of initial airflow designs to support sustainable building goals. Learners will discover how to optimize multiuse spaces for greater comfort through effective air distribution, temperature control strategies, and energy savings. By the end of the course, learners will have a solid understanding of HVAC efficiency challenges and solutions that align with LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C), LEED v5 Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), WELL Building Standard™ version 2, ASHRAE, and OSHA standards. This course equips architects and engineers with practical strategies for integrating sustainable, cost-effective airflow solutions into their designs.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Structural HDPE plastic lumber offers strength, durability, and design versatility and is a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. This course examines the types of structural HDPE plastic lumber and their manufacturing processes and provides technical information on performance attributes, suitable applications, installation considerations, and design guidelines. Comparisons are made to wood and wood-plastic composite lumber. Also presented is how recycled HDPE plastic lumber may help meet credit requirements in the Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES® v2) and LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Residential BD+C rating systems. Case studies demonstrate the exemplary performance of structural HDPE plastic lumber in aggressive environmental conditions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rooftop decks create valuable living and recreational space for building owners, residents, and clients. Accommodating restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and everything from residential to government buildings, rooftop deck systems offer the design flexibility to create versatile, unique outdoor spaces over any structural surface. This course explores the features, surface materials, and design options for rooftop deck systems and provides an overview of recommended planning and installation guidelines.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With the global rise in natural disasters and the increasing need for sustainable environments, resiliency has become a necessity in the design and building industries. This course provides an overview of resilient design, how it relates to building codes and standards, and the role it plays in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the built environment. It examines the role masonry construction plays in meeting resilient design goals and the inherent properties of masonry that make it resilient and provides examples and case studies of resilient design strategies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Growing and concentrating populations, shifting weather patterns, increasing frequency and ferocity of storm events, disappearing water supplies, and rising costs have made providing potable water and managing other water-related issues increasingly difficult for many communities. This course explores their many water issues and how they adapt their management practices to address constantly evolving water conditions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    High-performance waterproof panels are engineered to mitigate moisture damage in areas where water is ever present while offering easy installation and lasting beauty. This course reviews the importance of moisture management in wet applications and examines the performance attributes of waterproof panels that make them a complete wall solution.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Through sustainable management, the forests of New England have had a remarkable comeback since the 1830s, with eastern white pine being the most represented softwood in these forests. This light, yet strong wood species has been used for generations and today, meets the requirements of a renewable and sustainable building material. This course reviews eastern white pine’s contribution to sustainability, its grading rules, wood products, and many applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    While frequently chosen for aesthetics and durability, clay brick is not often considered when energy efficiency is a primary concern, even though it historically played a significant role in occupant comfort before the widespread use of HVAC systems. This course discusses the basics of heat transfer, relevant energy code provisions for walls, and how current research by the National Brick Research Center demonstrates the role that brick veneer can play in meeting or exceeding energy requirements in modern wall assemblies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Water management is a complex and significant process affecting all levels of planning and building design and is tasked with solving a number of new and emerging issues. This course reviews current stormwater and wastewater management issues and current practices and then takes a look at a number of new and emerging issues that water management plans need to address.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Megatrends are long-term global trends that impact societies in complex ways, including design of the built environment. This course examines seven megatrends and how they may inspire kitchen and bath designers to create accessible, diverse, and sustainable solutions to the social and environmental issues our society faces.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines the material composition, reinforcement types, and testing standards associated with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen membranes. It explains how fiberglass, polyester, and combination reinforcements affect membrane strength, flexibility, and dimensional stability. The standards that establish testing methods for tensile strength, elongation, and long-term performance are covered in detail. The course also outlines how material selection and installation practices influence roof durability, moisture resistance, and occupant safety.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    There is no substitute for the natural beauty of newly installed tropical hardwood, but keeping it looking great and achieving the desired performance over time require careful attention to detail. Choosing the best hardwood species and specifying the appropriate fastening and finishing systems will ensure an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance, and successful design in terms of installation, performance, and appearance. This course discusses wood species specification, installation techniques, and finishing methods for tropical hardwoods in conventional and sustainable buildings. As well, international programs that are used to successfully determine sustainability are examined.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Increased energy efficiency in both new and existing construction continues to be a large factor behind the design decisions we make and the materials we choose to integrate into our buildings. Concrete masonry construction can provide a wide range of benefits. This course illustrates how building envelopes constructed with concrete masonry create high-performance buildings that can exceed energy code requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Masonry is an ideal sustainable building construction material as it is extremely durable, recyclable, and reusable. It allows for extraordinary design versatility, so it can meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. This course looks at the design elements, components, and construction techniques that characterize sustainable masonry cavity wall building envelopes.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Fenestration openings are a critical component of a building envelope, especially in present-day sustainable, energy-efficient buildings. Building envelopes play an important role in controlling the movement of heat, bulk water, and water vapor. Designing fenestration openings for buildings that use continuous exterior insulation has a significant role in reducing thermal bridging and thus conserving energy. This course reviews the impact of exterior insulation on fenestration installation design. The course also explores solutions for a wide variety of wall system variations.

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Displaying 276 - 300 of 402 results.

FIRST PREV [226-250] [251-275] [276-300] [301-325] [326-350] NEXT LAST